This is archived information. It may contain outdated contact names, telephone numbers, Web links, or other information. For up-to-date information visit GSA.gov pages by topic or contact our Office of Public Affairs at media@gsa.gov. For a list of public affairs officers by beat, visit the GSA Newsroom.

Washington, D.C.— Registration for the first annual, three-day Federal Mail Symposium starts at noon today, as the symposium holds special networking sessions with U.S. Postal Service (USPS) national account representatives and security experts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will display its vision for protecting the entire postal and shipping sector, along with a new, cost-effective pathogen-detection machine at the symposium, sponsored by the Interagency Mail Policy Council and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

All major mail and small-package carriers, along with a broad array of software and specialized mail equipment suppliers will present exhibits.

The symposium ends Thursday with a special luncheon to present the 2004-2005 Federal Mail Best Practice Awards. The two major award winners are Al Laich, Mail Manager at the U.S. Peace Corps, and the Peace Corps Mail Center.

The Internal Revenue Service's Mail Management Staff will be cited for Honorable Mention, and Special Recognition goes the U.S. Patent, and Trademark Office mail center and the U.S.P.S. Web cast Training Team.

The symposium continues through Thursday at the Washington Convention Center. Registration is $395.

GSA is a centralized federal procurement and property management agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help federal agencies better serve the public. GSA’s 12,000 associates acquire, on behalf of federal agencies, office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services, and provide services and solutions for offices that house more than one million federal workers in more than 8,000 government-owned and leased buildings in 2,000 U.S. communities.